Kern COG releases backlog of roads funds

Kern Council of Governments disbursed money to Ridgecrest on Feb. 22, according to a memo released from the city manager's office on Monday.

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By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Feb. 27, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Updated Feb 27, 2013 at 12:55 PM

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Feb. 27, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Updated Feb 27, 2013 at 12:55 PM

Kern Council of Governments disbursed money to Ridgecrest on Feb. 22, according to a memo released from the city manager's office on Monday.

In the email from Interim City Manager Dennis Speer, Kern COG issued a disbursement order for $474,832.

The money is Ridgecrest's street claims from Transportation Development Act Article 8 funding, according to the disbursement request.

TDA Article 8 funding is money reserved for street projects after recipient entities have utilized money for transit projects like the city's bus system and laying down bike and pedestrian paths.

Speer said the belated disbursement was inquired about following the Feb. 19 City Organizations Committee meeting. During the meeting, Assistant Finance Director Tess Sloan indicated in a report that the city's Gas Tax Fund lacked $487,000 in TDA Article 8 money.

Also in limbo was $100,000 in redevelopment agency funding. The adjusted revenue stream for the Gas Tax Fund's 2013 fiscal year is a projected $1.57 million, as of Dec. 31. Expenditures exceeded the revenue source by $600,000 at $2.15 million.

Overall, the Gas Tax Fund, a misnomer umbrella term covering all the city's general street funding, also suffered from less than expected Measure L tax revenue. The streets fund's share of the funding was reduced when the city council approved Measure L funds to cover general fund cuts to the Ridgecrest Police Department on Dec. 19

Speer confirmed Monday night that the city was canceling its $426,605 street construction project.

In addition, the city would need to shave $100,000 off its $1.07 million street maintenance expenditure to make up the uncertainty in RDA funding.

However, with the $474,000 disbursement from Kern COG, Speer said the streets fund would be balanced for the rest of FY 2013.